I'm On My Way

All praise and glory be to My Lord who is able to do so much more than we could ever ask!

I just got the call from AoH. And although the lab does not have the hardcopy in their possession, they do know the results and Gabriella and her mother are a MATCH. The lab should have the results this afternoon, and if they get them shipped DHL today, the embassy will receive them Friday. If they ship them tomorrow, the embassy should have them Monday. In either case it will be before I need them on Tuesday. AoH will e-mail the tracking number when they have it and e-mail the official results when they have it, so that I have a copy should they not get the hardcopy in time. But everything is a GO and I'm gearing up for the long trip.

We appreciate you all so much. I can't tell you how difficult a week it has been. Wanting to trust, trying to be at peace, but feeling so much anxiety and frustration. So I've struggled with doubt and know that your prayers have held us up during this time. THANKS AGAIN!

Still No DNA Results Yet

AoH has been in contact with the Lab, and they are trying to locate the hardcopy of the results. Not sure what that means if they have in their building but can't find it to sign off, or if they are still in transit from some place or what. But we are still waiting - thanks for waiting with us...

Today is the Day the Lord Has Made

Let us rejoice and be glad in it. I set my alarm for 3:30am and got up and once again called the consulate's office, only to receive no answer and be forwarded to a full voice mailbox. I proceeded to call the US Embassy switchboard where I was asked to call back at 2:00 (9am local). So I went back to bed and prayed and eventually fell asleep.

Well I was awakened to the most wonderful news. I received an e-mail at 6:22am from the US Embassy that I have an appointment for next Tuesday March 25th. Thank you to all who prayed when I felt too weak and emotionally drained and didn't know how to pray.

Still anxiously awaiting the DNA results. Gabriella is almost home!!!!!!!

Passport In Hand - Supposed to Take Off in 24 Hrs

Well my "rushed" passport arrived today. Down to two major roadbloacks to overcome and I just received my check-in reminder for my flight which takes off in 24 hours. I feel quite hopeful about the DNA results, but now the major road block seems to be the Embassy Appointment I need on Tuesday March 25th. On the US Embassy in Liberia website it clearly states:

- Adopting Parents -
We will be unable to assist adopting parents without an appointment. Appointments are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please make an appointment before arriving in Liberia by emailing AdoptionsMonrovia@state.gov.

Well I have sent several e-mails, I stayed up until 3am (8am in Liberia) this morning and called and there was no answer and the voice mailbox is full. I reached the switch board and they forwarded my call and it rang for 5 minutes before I hung up. I then called the switchboard another time and did leave a voice message. I'm in the process of trying to get the Office of Congressman Steven Kagen 8th District, Wisconsin to try to fax the Consulate on my behalf. But I'm not very hopeful i'll have the appointment I need before I'm supposed to hop on a plane. That's where you come in - Please Pray! Thanks

Caleb's in Biloxi

Our son Caleb (on the left) flew to Biloxi this morning with a group from our church. They are serving with Compassion First a ministry founded by Beaverton Four Square church from Portland Oregon. Kim and I have both gone on two trips to help rebuild homes devasted by hurricane Katrina. In fact for those of you who have followed us from the beginning, you might recall I had to alter one of my trips due to our Federal Fingerprinting being scheduled during one of them. So already back a year ago, it's been somewhat of a logistical nightmare. So we'd appreciate your prayers for Caleb. He's very young (10) to be on a trip like this, but from the beginning it's been his hearts desire to be there. He, on his own without Kim and I knowing, submitted a prayer request at church that somehow he would be able to go, and one of the coordinators approached us about it. Normally they don't let anyone under 12 go, because they can be more work then they are help. Also East Biloxi is not a safe place. Prior to the hurricane, even the police didn't like going to East Biloxi. High crime, gangs and drugs. But the hurricane forced some of them out of the area. But as the rebuilding continues, more and more of it is returning. But there has been somewhat of a revival in the area, as churches have been the cornerstone of the rebuilding effort. Anyways, pray for his growth, success and safety. He flies back next Saturday and will be back for Easter. It's been a blessing to see Caleb's maturity and appreciation, but also to see the rest of the family rally around him. We were all up at 5am this morning to pray for him and see him off.

Also got good news regarding my passport. It left the Milwuakee post office facility last night at 9:26, so I am confident it will be delivered tomorrow. Thanks for your prayers regarding all these details. I'll be pressing AoH to contact the DNA lab to make sure everything is still on schedule to get our results faxed Tuesday morning. Also I'm going to try to get up at 3am monday morning to call the US Embassy in Liberia, as I still need an Embassy Appt for March 25th for Gabriella. In 36 short hours this will all be settled.

Well - Still No Passport

My tracking number shows the last place my package was scanned was in Maryland and according to the USPS website...

For your extremely urgent shipments, Express Mail is the ideal choice. Items are delivered directly to the addressee at home or place of business. Delivery occurs by noon or 3 p.m. the next business day, or in the case of deferred service, the second business day.

So the next business day is Monday. So if by 3 o'clock Monday I don't have my passport, I'll be making some urgent calls. Also still praying for those DNA results Tuesday morning, and praying for an Embassy Appt Tues March 25th.

Thanks again for hanging with us...

Passport En Route

Great News! The tracking number for my passport finally shows that its at a post office in Maryland on it's way here. It should arrive tomorrow (i think) but at the very latest Monday. Unless of course FedEx gets involved, then who knows where or when it will show up :)